One of the most common questions many people ask is whether or not they can wear contacts while jet skiing.
The answer to this question may seem like a no-brainer, but there are certain precautions you should take before heading out to any water sports.
This blog post will discuss these precautions and give you some tips for what to do if your contact gets lost in the ocean!
There is no reason you can’t wear contacts on a jet ski, but there are causes for concern due to water speed and the quality of the water if the eyes aren’t protected by sunglasses or other protection. There are a few benefits to choosing to wear glasses on a jet ski to maintain eye health.
One of the main issues with wearing contact lenses is that you have exceedingly high wind conditions with very fast water motion possibly without eye protection, this can lead to many eye issues and irritants many times for hours without even noticing.
Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses
There are some solid reasons or benefits to contact lens use on the water when riding a jet ski.
This is due to the contacts being on the eye at all times, but there are several precautions you should take to ensure your safety.
No Issues with Fogging
One of the key reasons people choose contact lenses is because they allow for better vision in clear waters without any obstructions due to fogging up or water splashes getting into their eyes.
This can be a very important reason as well since it allows for safe driving of the jet ski with better vision.
Making sure you can see clearly on the water is vastly important as you are on a small and fast object so impacts can be deadly.
Allows Use of Eye Goggles
You can wear goggles while having contacts in and can also use goggles if you need additional eye protection.
This is a great way to further protect the eyes while out on water sports, so it may be beneficial for some people to think about wearing both contact lenses and safety goggles at the same time!
Goggles will also help you from catching spray in the eye and face which is the most common cause of irritation when on a jet ski.
Allows Use of Sunglasses
When out on open water or on a beach where there is open water you MUST have sunglasses or other eye protection on as the sun can easily cause major eye health problems.
Sunglasses that you choose to use out on the water should not be Oakley’s unless you are ok with losing them, I would choose to use less expensive versions or use sunglasses with a strap.
I think these are a nice trade-off as they look good to me but also can’t be lost to the depths!
Comfort
For many wearing glasses for hours and hours can lead to headaches and they just find contacts to be more comfortable.
Though when you involve yourself in the water with contacts you should purchase some dailies and throw them away after use as there is a LOT of bacteria in the water which we talk about more below.
Reasons to Wear Glasses
Glasses are frequently less wanted by people on the water as they are more likely to fall off of your face due to the wind so can you wear glasses while jet skiing?
There is no issue with wearing glasses while riding and they may be more helpful in many conditions than wearing contacts. But you have to be cautious as it is simple to get them caught in the wind and to have them pulled off your face, this can lead to distraction and loss of control.
They come with some strong benefits through to a person who decides to wear them while out on the water that contacts just can’t match.
Can Come With Transitions (Built-in Sunglasses)
Many glasses can or do come with transitions, this is a technology that changes them into prescription sunglasses automatically at high sun levels.
This can be amazing to have so you can wear your glasses all the time with no problems and protect yourself from the sun when the days get bright.
I can speak to hating when it gets sunny and my eyes just get tired from the sunlight barrage, these new transition lenses have been a nice help for any summer vacation, let alone just water diversions!
Easier to Find
If you lose contacts on the water they are just gone, let’s face it they are transparent and so finding them is basically just not possible.
This could leave you blind and fully unsafe to drive a jet ski, whereas with glasses you can find them in the sea with assistance.
More Safety
Having glasses gives you a layer of protection from all objects before reaching your eyes, this is important when out on the water with boats, jet skis, and other people moving around and playing games.
If someone throws a ball at your face while out on a jet ski or it comes flying off the sea, glasses may help protect you from injuries that could happen to your eyes.
Contact Lens Intolerance
Some people find contact lenses uncomfortable and are sensitive to them. They experience burning, itching, stinging, or discomfort in the eyes as a result of wearing contact lenses.
Contact lens discomfort is a frequent cause of contact lens-related problems. Sensitivity or allergy to the material in contact lenses, as well as intolerance to wearing them, are other causes.
If you switch the solution and lenses but still have those concerns, it’s time to use prescription eyewear when playing sports.
Less Chance to Pick Up Bacteria
Contact lenses can trap harmful germs and disease-causing bacteria on the surface of your eye, allowing them to multiply and produce a serious eye infection.
In fact, some of these eye diseases may be debilitating enough to cause vision loss.
The most effective approach is to remove your contact lenses before going in the water and to utilize a pair of prescription swim goggles while viewing beneath the surface.
If you don’t want to listen, the next greatest option is to put on daily disposable lenses and discard them as soon as you exit the water. Then a fresh pair of lenses may be used that haven’t been in the water.
How to Avoid Losing Glasses on the Water
The simplest way is to use an adjustable strap for your glasses. They are very inexpensive and well worth the investment to not lose prescription glasses as prescription lenses aren’t cheap to replace!
Additionally, you could also choose to purchase prescription goggles which are built for water use and strap onto your head.
Either should give you perfect vision out on the water while giving you some proper eye protection from the water and sun.
How to Avoid Losing Contacts on the Water
There are many ways to ensure your contacts don’t fall out of your eyes during your jet ski adventure.
The most common is understanding not to rub at or around your eyes when coming back out of the water as this can easily help them be pushed out of place and then fall into the water.
The next thing to focus on is to close your eyes well before any submersion into the water as this change in pressure can cause your contacts to pop out.
Lastly would be to wear a goggle system as this will ensure your eyes never gain contact with the water and can also help you from spreading bacteria to your eyes when riding.
Doing these 2 key things will help you lose fewer contacts when out in the water on a jet ski allowing you to have more fun and be safer!
Known Issues with Contacts and Open Water
There are a few issues related to water quality that you should know about before going out in open water.
These issues will vary depending on where you are jet skiing, so it is important to research the area and understand what dangers there might be for your eyes while swimming or riding a jet ski.
Infections and Blindness
The use of contact lenses in water has some doctors and health care professionals opposing it.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you should not put your contact lenses in ocean, lake, pond, distilled, bottled, or tap water.
They also stress that any contact lens user must clean, rinse, and air-dry their contacts after each usage, preferably using dailies and throwing the old ones away.
Polluted waters and potentially hazardous microorganisms, viruses, and microbes are a significant problem for surfers who have poor eyesight.
They’re also at an increased risk of losing their sight.
Final Thoughts on Wearing Contacts on a Jet Ski
If you wear contacts while on a jet ski, they can help protect your eyes from the sun and dirt. The advantage of wearing contact lenses when riding a jetski is that it will keep your vision clear.
However, there are some disadvantages such as the increased risk of losing them in open water and the infection risks from polluted waters.
As long as you take precautions then you should be able to enjoy yourself without worrying about hurting your eyes!